Fishermen seek improved security in high season

Fishermen on Lake Turkana have asked for security to be beefed up during the peak fishing season.

Loarengak Beach Management Unit chairman Fredrick Disii said more fishermen were being drawn to the lake as its waters declined making it easy for small boats to operate.

Mr Disii lamented that marine police did not patrol the lake frequently putting the lives of the increasing number of fishermen at risk.

“Reduction of water volume translates to more fish being caught because the ordinary fishing boats are best in shallow waters. This attracts more fishermen,” he said.

He noted that Merille militia from Ethiopia targeted fishermen with modern equipment stealing it from them and killing the owners.

He was speaking at the launch of ‘Hata samaki ni nyama’ campaign in Lodwar town, sponsored by Oxfam, to encourage more locals to take up fishing to earn a living.

Loarengak, Todonyang and Kalokol beaches are the most targetted by the raiders.